Florida’s public universities support 531 centers and institutes that pursue research, teaching, and public service goals. Consistent with recommendations in our 2007 report, the Board of Governors has taken steps to strengthen accountability for these units. The board has directed university boards of trustees to create policies for the implementation, operation, review, and disbanding of institutes and centers. However, additional action is needed to ensure that evaluations of individual centers and institutes assess whether they are meeting their intended purpose, to improve the financial oversight of centers and institutes, and to resolve the status of the Leadership Board for Applied Research and Public Service.

What were our earlier findings?Report No. 07-35University Centers and Institutes Report Many Benefits; the Oversight Process Needs to Be Strengthened,published in August 2007.